By Lexi McFarlane, Times Chronicle
A proposed initiative to get local youth engaged in municipal politics has been deemed to require some fine-tuning before being approved.
Town of Oliver staff brought forward a draft Youth Councillors Policy to the Committee of the Whole meeting of Council on Monday, seeking its advancement to a future Regular Council Meeting.
The Policy would create two Youth Councillor positions, one Junior and one Senior, and as written would have specifically sought out students of South Okanagan Secondary School (SOSS). The appointments would be on an annual basis, as proposed.
Senior Youth Councillors would also be sponsored by the Town of Oliver to partake in the British Columbia Youth Parliament Session held in Victoria each December. Additionally, Senior Youth Councillors would be given a one-time $1,000 scholarship.
The proposal followed consultation with some other municipalities, most notably the District of Elkford which is already considering a Youth Councillor initiative. Other municipalities have created non-voting committee spots for youth members of their communities.
The proposal was initially vouched for, with Councillor Aimee Grice largely in support of the Policy.
“We’ve tried different iterations (before), and this hasn’t happened yet; this is a nice, bite-sized way to get the ball rolling,” Grice said.
Grice’s only suggestion for amending the policy was to try and include all older youth in Oliver, including those partaking in studies online, and not just limiting the range to SOSS.
Mayor Martin Johansen would voice similar concerns about other criteria in place, including commitment to a post-secondary institution.
“I just don’t agree with (the requirement) that a candidate has to begin a post-secondary education program, and provide proof of registration and attendance,” Johansen said.
“Number one, a lot of people may not have the financial ability to go to (post-secondary), and you’re going to eliminate them right out of the box; I think that’s not correct. And (additionally)… A lot of people, they take a year off to decide what they want to do.”
Councillor David Mattes’s critique of the draft Policy pertained to the financial aspect, namely ,which levels of government would be covering which amounts of cost.
“What is the cost of sending the (Senior Youth Councillor) to Victoria, that isn’t covered; what will our expenses be?” Mattes asked. “I know that a good portion of expenses are covered, but I’d like to know what it’s going to cost the Town.”
Mattes’s other concern focused on the imbalance of perks between the Junior and Senior Youth Councillors.
“We would be rewarding the Seniors, but not the Juniors. We’re asking them to attend… and if you’re a Senior, you get a scholarship, but if you’re a Junior… nothing.”
Lightheartedly, Councillor Terry Schafer asked a more logistical question about the idea of having Youth Councillors.
“Where would they sit?” Schafer said, motioning to the full Council table.
“Details to be worked out, for sure,” an amused Councillor Petra Veintimilla, who chaired the meeting, replied.
Council successfully moved that the draft Policy be sent back to Town Staff for some edits to the details and criteria, before it comes up again at a future date.
